Richard M. “Rick” Roche Jr., of Canisteo

Born in Wellsville, February 1, 1940, the son of Richard M. Roche Sr. and Edna Biehler Roche he had resided in Wellsville during his early life and was a graduate of Wellsville High School, Class of 1958. Rick later attended Paul Smith College and Alfred University. He moved to Canisteo in 1958 and had owned and operated the “Kill Buck Inn” for over twenty years until selling the business in 1987. Rick then began working for the Canisteo-Greenwood School District, and retired in 2008 as a copy technician in the elementary school. Rick served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1960 until 1963, and later served in the New York Army National Guard for six years. He was a devout catholic, a member of Our Lady Of The Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell.

Rick enjoyed gardening and had discovered the true meaning of life and displayed that through his relationship with his family, friends and especially his grandchildren.. He will be especially remembered for his great sense of humor.

He was predeceased by his parents, and his brother Jon Patrick Roche in 1969.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah Roche to whom he was married September 24, 1978, two daughters, Jacquelyn (Jerry) Updyke of Greenwood and Brinette (Harold) Steffey of Hartsville, his two sons, William (Renee) Roche of Hornell and Jon Roche of Canisteo, seven grandchildren, Colene Roche, Edward McMichael, Alicia Twichell, Cassandra Hilligus, Trinity Gonzalez, Nicholas Gonzalez and Gabrielle Steffey. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Verda Miller of Canisteo, and his former wife and good friend, Bonnie Gielen of Canisteo.

To send a remembrance to the family or to light a candle in Rick’s memory, please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com. The family is being assisted by Gerald R. Brown, Director at Brown & Powers Funeral Home of Canisteo.

There will be no public visitation. Family and friends are invited to meet the family at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 AM . Burial with military honors will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Canisteo.